view chat transcript (pdf)

NASA Chat: Stay ‘Up All Night’ to Watch the Lunar Eclipse Experts Mitzi Adams and Alphonse Sterling

April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Moderator_Brooke: Welcome everyone! Our experts are getting ready to take your questions! Two

more minutes -- thanks for being here!

Lola: How often do these lunar eclipses occur?

Alphonse_Sterling: For lunar eclipses, between 0-3 per year, and an average of about 1.5/year.

Enrique: are you ready for this!

Alphonse_Sterling: We are!

5678shane: when will this live stream be shown

Alphonse_Sterling: The Ustream is about to go live on this page, in the window below this chat module.

Ray: thaank you nasa

Alphonse_Sterling: Our pleasure!

Polakgger: what time the moon's eclipse begins ?

Alphonse_Sterling: For those in the U.S., a brief guide to the eclipse phases: Penumbral eclipse begins

12:55 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse begins 1:59 a.m. EDT Total eclipse begins 3:08 a.m. EDT Maximum eclipse

is at 3:46 a.m. EDT Total eclipse ends 4:23 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse ends 5:32 a.m. EDT Penumbral eclipse

ends 6:36 a.m. EDT.

Ali_Isaia: Hi! When is the best time to see the eclipse in Miami?

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi Miami! Try this For those in the U.S., a brief guide to the eclipse phases:

Penumbral eclipse begins 12:55 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse begins 1:59 a.m. EDT Total eclipse begins 3:08

a.m. EDT Maximum eclipse is at 3:46 a.m. EDT Total eclipse ends 4:23 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse ends 5:32

a.m. EDT Penumbral eclipse ends 6:36 a.m. EDT.

Northdakody: Where in the sky will the moon be?

Alphonse_Sterling: Around midnight, almost directly overhead.

Danny: How many moon eclipses are going to be in this year?

Alphonse_Sterling: Two -- next in Oct. 8. Two more next year as well.

Ter: Can you start the live feed now before the eclipse starts please.

Alphonse_Sterling: It will be going live very shortly!

Katia: hey ! i was wondering if the live stream would be able to veiw tomorrow?


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: We're going to try to rebroadcast this tomorrow on Ustream.

Kobalt69: Why is it called the blood moon if it looks like an eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Because the moon turns a reddish color, but doesn't go completely dark.

Nyu: How long will last the eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Totality is 1 hour and 18 minutes.

ShowNunBatToe: Mr. Sterling, I am a physics major at UCSD who wants to specialize in

astrophysics/cosmology. This is truely my passion, but I'll need to be able to make a living. What career

opportunities are available with my degree? Without looking into it at all I can only think of Academia

and NASA.

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi there! It depends on what you want to specialize in. There are observatories and

other government institutions besides NASA: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Naval Research

Laboratory, and some companies have contracts with NASA.

Ebalut: What is this lunar eclipse called? does it have a name or no?

Mitzi Adams: Some people call it a "blood moon." It's the first in a tetrad of lunar eclipses and Native

American tribes in the north and eastern U.S. call a pink moon and this refers the full moon itself. They

call it a pink moon because of the blooming of wild ground phlox, a pink blooming wildflower.

Ter: Does this eclipse change the tides or anything like that?

Mitzi Adams: No.

Arma: why on that eclipse the color of the moon is red?

Alphonse_Sterling: Because sunlight is refracted into the shadow area and because it goes through a lot

of Earth's atmosphere, all the blue light is filtered out, and only the red light is visible. It's similar to what

happens during sunrise and sunset, when the sun looks red.

Brandi: I'm excited to see this!

Alphonse_Sterling: Welcome!

Danny_James: my question is, why so many clouds?

Alphonse_Sterling: We'd like to know that, too.

seraphim718: what is a tetrad? and when was the last tetrad?


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mitzi Adams: A tetrad is a group of four eclipses. The last tetrad was in 20032 and the next is in 2032.

There were five tetrads in the 20th Century.

Killebrew: What exactly is the penumbral portion of the eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: It's when only part of the sun is shining on the moon. So if you were standing on the

moon in the penumbral shadow you'd only see about half of the sun above the Earth.

liont5007: these is the only eclipse in this year?

Alphonse_Sterling: The next is total lunar eclipse is Oct. 8.

tek92: nasa is AWSOME for doing this

Alphonse_Sterling: Why thank you! We think you're awesome for being here.

DeHaven: well I'm definitely going to be up late tonight

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, and you'll have a LOT of company!

TOJO: What kinds of important information do we learn about Eart when a lunar eclipse happens?

Mitzi Adams: We can learn things about the atmosphere of the Earth when an eclipse happens.

JessDaniel: When starts the streaming?

Alphonse_Sterling: Very shortly -- stay tuned!

LoveTheReds: Thank you for hosting this chat, folks. Does it make any difference where in the US you

are?

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi Reds! All of the U.S. can see this event except for parts of Alaska.

gary_latimer: Any idea why we didn't have any for a 300 year period and now they are more common?

Alphonse_Sterling: Actually, they happen pretty consistently -- about 1.5 average lunar eclipses per

year.

Fmartins0: When does the eclipse start?

Mitzi Adams: For those in the U.S., a brief guide to the eclipse phases: Penumbral eclipse begins 12:55

a.m. EDT Partial eclipse begins 1:59 a.m. EDT Total eclipse begins 3:08 a.m. EDT Maximum eclipse is at

3:46 a.m. EDT Total eclipse ends 4:23 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse ends 5:32 a.m. EDT Penumbral eclipse

ends 6:36 a.m. EDT

Ajusunny: what is eclipse will you please explain that?


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: An eclipse is when one celestial body falls into the shadow of another celestial body.

Cmagana: does anybody have a good link to follow this eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: We do. When we have coverage, this is a good link:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

Northdakody: During which phase will it look red?

Mitzi Adams: It will actually start looking reddish during the partial phase. It'll be the deepest red during

mid-eclipse when the moon is centered in the shadow of the Earth.

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi everyone -- getting a lot of questions about times and viewing. You can find out

more about times and viewing here: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2014Apr15T.pdf

To convert the times on this link to your local time, use this: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tc.cgi. For those in

the U.S., a brief guide to the eclipse phases: Penumbral eclipse begins 12:55 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse

begins 1:59 a.m. EDT Total eclipse begins 3:08 a.m. EDT Maximum eclipse is at 3:46 a.m. EDT Total

eclipse ends 4:23 a.m. EDT Partial eclipse ends 5:32 a.m. EDT Penumbral eclipse ends 6:36 a.m. EDT.

greatgoose29: is there any special precautions with looking at a lunar eclipse

Alphonse_Sterling: No, no special requirements.

Abe: Will this be visible on the east coast? It's cloudy now.

Alphonse_Sterling: East Coast will have a view as long as skies are clear.

Doc: What is an Penumbral eclipse

Mitzi Adams: The penumbral part of the eclipse is when the moon enters the part of the shadow which

is not very dark. The world "penumbra" comes from the Latin "paene-umbra". Paene' means almost.

Alphonse_Sterling: Lots of questions about Ustream view. We're about to start showing the view from

Los Angeles at the Griffith Observatory: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

Dave: Where is the live feed camera located?

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi Dave -- they will be from several places across the U.S. as they become available!

Alphonse_Sterling: There we go! Look at the moon! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

Vortexanot: Any suggestions for a drink to enjoy while watching this celestial event?

Alphonse_Sterling: Moonshine?

Rosebud: Does global warming and CO2 Emisions in the sky give us a better show tonight?


http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/LEplot/LEplot2001/LE2014Apr15T.pdf




April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mitzi Adams: I don't think excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will affect our viewing this evening.

Sergiordzz: hello, does astronauts in the space, can see this?

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi Sergio -- yes, they should be able to see it for the time they're on the correct side

of the Earth.

Carl_Sagan: What is the longest totality of an eclipse on record?

Alphonse_Sterling: For solar, about 7.5 minutes. We're not sure about lunar.

DaniG: are you saying in the eastern part of the U.S. it will look pink?? Or will it look the same all over

the U.S.

Alphonse_Sterling: It looks the same all over, but reddish. But it won't be pink -- that's from Native

American lore because the moon of this month was full while pink flowers bloom in spring. It has

nothing to do with the color you'll see.

Damien: If the moon's color is due to an atmospheric condition caused by the Earth's shadow and red

spectrum being refracted. What prevents the moon from displaying other colors from the spectrum?

Alphonse_Sterling: Good question. The other colors are scattered out of the light path, so only the red

light remains.

Annabanana: Hi Everyone! I have been curious, could you explain precisely why the moon can turn red

during a total lunar eclipse. Something about light wavelengths? Also are the color changes only possible

during a total eclipse or can they occur during partial ecplises as well?

Mitzi Adams: The reddening occurs because light is refracted and blue light is scattered out, so the only

light left is red light. Yes, there will be a reddish light during a partial phase, but because the moon is so

bright, it will be more difficult to see --- it is more subtle.

astrogirl098: are there other colors of eclipes besides red/pink? ex: blue, green, purple, ect.

Alphonse_Sterling: No, but orange-red and darker colors (brown, charcoal, almost black) if atmospheric

conditions are right. (For example, after volcanic eruptions.)

sarah18: Is there any danger while looking through a telescope?

Mitzi Adams: No, it is perfectly safe --- this is not like a solar eclipse.

[email protected]: What else do you do at NASA, Alphonse?

Alphonse_Sterling: I'm an astrophysicist, and I specialize in solar science at NASA's Marshall Space Flight

Center. My specialty is studying the onset of both large-scale and small-scale solar eruptions.


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Clarissa: Is the entire Ustream going to be from the Los Angeles observatory?

Mitzi Adams: We have a variety of sources we will rotate through during the night. It's raining here in

Huntsville and we'd like to show the progression of the eclipse from different parts of the country.

Jordan: Does this eclipse play any role with weather at all

Alphonse_Sterling: No, there's no relationship.

Dspradau: Evening guys! On a scale of 1 - 10, how excited are you!?

Alphonse_Sterling: About...pi, only because it's cloudy here.

Ronnie: whoa cool! good question and answer :-)

Alphonse_Sterling: Glad you like it.

moonlover69: I love the moon

Alphonse_Sterling: So do we!

Hushypuppy: i heard that the eclipse can change your mind, is that true?

Alphonse_Sterling: Guess that depends on how persuasive it is?

Yue: Is there another type of phenomenon of color change of the moon, the moon as blood or Blue

Moon?

Alphonse_Sterling: Conditions such as volcanic eruptions and exceptionally large fires can create

unusual colors for the moon.

Carl_Sagan: Why are solar eclipse totalities so much shorter than lunar?

Mitzi Adams: Because the shadow cast on the Earth is much smaller than the shadow the Earth casts on

the Moon. Because it's the shadow of the Moon during a solar eclipse that causes the eclipse and the

shadow of the Moon is much smaller.

Clarissa: What is the difference between the blood moon and the blue moon?

Alphonse_Sterling: Blood moon is slang for the eclipsed moon, when it appears reddish. A blue moon is

most commonly seen as the second full moon in a calendar month -- but nothing to do with its actual

color.

Rigs005: I'm hoping we can! It's done nothing but rain! I was so excited to see this and I can't!


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: That's too bad, but we're streaming on our feed:


Kouleifoe: Isn't it like a shadow being cast upon the moon itself?

Mitzi Adams: It is a shadow being cast on the moon.

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi everyone -- take a look at the Ustream feed. If you look at the left side, you'll see

the darkening due to the progressing of the penumbral phase of the eclipse.


Ibobp: So what exact stage is this eclipse currently at?

Alphonse_Sterling: As of right now ( 1:42 EDT) it's at the penumbral stage.

[email protected]: I´m feeling alone and dumb..... No one seems to know I´m here..

Alphonse_Sterling: We see you, and we're glad you're here.

Brandon_Cheema: whats up with the music

Alphonse_Sterling: That's Third Rock Radio.

Annabanana: Thanks! Next question, I see lots of talk about atmostpheric conditions affecting the color

that will show during an eclipse so what kind of conditions would lead to more of the red appearance

and what would lead to say an almost black appearance?

Mitzi Adams: Strong volcanic activity has caused the moon to look almost black.

ts_demas: Do you need any special gear to sse the blood moon

Alphonse_Sterling: Only your eyes -- but better with binoculars, if you have them.

Bucky666: Is this a good opportunity to observe another Celestial Bodies?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes -- you can see dimmer stars during the total phases. The bright star nearest the

moon is Spica and planet Mars is about an "extended fist distance" away from the moon. (It will be

bright red and star-like.)

moonlover69: IS the moon bigger than the earth because i bet a couple guys it was and theyre gonna

break my thumbs if im wrong

Alphonse_Sterling: Goodbye, thumbs.

LRoberts: does the moon rotate??




April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mitzi Adams: Yes. The same rate that it goes around the Earth.

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi everyone -- just wanted to say thanks for all these great questions. We're working

to get responses out as quickly as we can. Thanks for your patience!

Shelaghc: What sort of reaction do the tides have to lunar eclipses, if anything?

Mitzi Adams: Lunar eclipses only occur when the moon is full. High tides occurs when the moon is full.

But there is nothing special about tides during an eclipse.

Lorana: We're waiting for you, Blood Moon :D

Alphonse_Sterling: And it's starting to appear, now in the penumbral stage.

MmmmYah: Why is there such significance to tetrads? Have larger (e.g. 5 ot 6) or smaller (triads) of

eclipses never occurred?

Alphonse_Sterling: Well, there's nothing particularly special about them. These are normal cycles that

sometimes line up to make a group of them close in time. The natural motions of the celestial bodies.

Rosebud: How many years in advance have lunar eclipses been accurately predicted? Is it basically a

perfect science now or does it have an x-factor you can't get down?

Mitzi Adams: Eclipses have been predicted to about the year 3000 and there are variations that will

occur for which we have not totally compensated, but as time goes on the variations will become known

so the accuracy can be extended farther in the future then.

Aaa: Hello everyone. So let me get this straight. The red color is because of the light refraction, right?

And the fact that Mars is the responsible for the eclipse has nothing to do with the color.

Alphonse_Sterling: That's correct -- refraction from the Earth's atmosphere. But Mars isn't responsible

for the eclipse.

Toby_King: In NC is rainning we won't be able to see it. What time will you start your live transmision?

Alphonse_Sterling: It's happening now on the stream! Penumbral stage:


Aaa: By the way, greetings from Mexico

Alphonse_Sterling: Hello to Mexico!

Xklownx: Would the moon still be red if you were looking at it from the space station

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, it would.



April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

LRoberts: Will eclipse pass left to right on the screen?

Mitzi Adams: Yes.

Carl_Sagan: should we be worried about this so called tetrad?

Alphonse_Sterling: No -- it's a consequence of the natural motion of the Earth, moon and sun.

Alphonse_Sterling: Take a look at the feed: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc This is the

deepest part of the penumbral phase. The umbral phase is getting ready to start (the partial phase.)

That's the sharp darkening you'll see on the left side of the moon.

NathFray: Thank you for all this information! :)

Alphonse_Sterling: It's our pleasure!

Carl_Sagan: Is the moon made out of cheese?

Alphonse_Sterling: Mmmmm....if so, I'd like to be there. I'm pretty hungry!

samik124: Hey! First of all, I'd just like to say it's so cool that you guys are answering our questions and

stuff! Second, how often does an eclipse like the one tonight happen?

Alphonse_Sterling: Thank you! On average, 1.5 times a year. For this year and 2015, two per year.

Carl_Sagan: What is more important the moon or the sun?

Alphonse_Sterling: For the eclipse, they both get equal billing!

Annabanana: lol pi, great answer haha

Alphonse_Sterling:

epnut99: Please explain exceptionally large fires and moon color.

Alphonse_Sterling: If it's large enough to the particles into the high atmosphere of Earth's and spread

over large areas, similar to volcanos.

Len: will the shadow be moving from left to right?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, that's what you're seeing on the stream.

Gtonexo: Are you guys actual people, or generated responses?

Alphonse_Sterling: We're human!



April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi everyone -- we have many, many questions asking how to see the Ustream feed.

Due to the volume of questions, we can't respond to all of them, but please visit the Ustream link:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc You can see the eclipse has already started!

Dark_Moon: Are you talking about the stream right below this chat Alphonse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, that's the one, and you can also access this link directly if the embedded feed is

slow: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

J: Woah, it's getting dark real quick...

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, it's advancing very dramatically.

Czarkasim: will the eclipse occour from left to right? or top to bottom?

Alphonse_Sterling: From left to right...

Gentlewind: I have not seen any of my questions acknowledged.. and have seen others acknowlege

more than once already. Can I be seen here? I am wondering if we should be able to see the streaming

on ustream link below as I cannot see anytning

Alphonse_Sterling: Hello there. You can view the stream here, and the eclipse is starting!


J: If you were standing on the moon, would everything look red?

Alphonse_Sterling: If standing where it's total, you would see the Earth as a black disk with a bright red

rim around it (the Earth's atmosphere)

Rosebud: Does NASA have photographs of what a total eclipse might look like from the Moon? I can't

seem to find any. Does anyone care? I do.

Mitzi Adams: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2011_lunar_eclipse

MatthewJ: Can you increase your chat licenses? Just got disconnected and when I tried to reconnect I

got this message: Access Denied. Chat service license limit has been reached.

Alphonse_Sterling: Hi Matthew -- we could, but unfortunately, it really slows down the response with

lag.

J: Where's the Griffith Observatory?

Alphonse_Sterling: In Los Angeles, California.

Rmuckley: wishing i had a better camera tonight, perfectly clear skies. what time should i wake my kids

up to get a view of the full eclipse?




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2011_lunar_eclipse


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mitzi Adams: About 3 a.m. Eastern Time. The full eclipse begins at 3:08 a.m.

J: Is that the Sea of Tranquility?

Alphonse_Sterling: It's blurred out right now in this view, but to the right of center.

Randy: How can I see the moon directly if too cloudy?

Mitzi Adams: Watch the Ustream feed.

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/lunar-eclipse-

2014.html#.U0y94bweYWk

Brandi: Mars is suppose to be near the Earth tonight as well, right? Where will it be located during the

event?

Alphonse_Sterling: It's about 10 degrees away from the moon, and if your extend your fist out, it's

about the size of your fist (red and bright).

Tarvex: Alphonse! Did you read this?

Alphonse_Sterling: I did.

J: Didn't the moon used to be part of the Earth during Earth's formation? Or am I just way off?

Alphonse_Sterling: You're not way off. The most recent ideas about the moon's formation say it was

caused when the young Earth was struck by a planetoid object and part of that object formed the moon.

cuEvangelist: Thanks for the heads up Mr. Sterling, for a minute there I thought I had to wait for

another blood moon for an answer to my question.

Alphonse_Sterling: Hopefully not that long!

allyssa20: when would be the best time to actually see the eclipse the best

Alphonse_Sterling: All the phases are interesting but totality is probably most dramatic.

Vicheresc: Does this kind of eclipse has influence on Earth's ocean water levels?

Alphonse_Sterling: No more than the normal full moon -- the tides are slightly higher during a full moon

than at other times, since the sun and moon are pulling from opposite sides on the water.

Carl_Sagan: I heard there are going to be meteor showers soon for the East Coast is that true?

Alphonse_Sterling: The next meteor shower is next week, the Lyrids.

Legitimaro: How do you predict an eclipse?

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/lunar-eclipse-2014.html%23.U0y94bweYWk

http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/lunar-eclipse-2014.html%23.U0y94bweYWk


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: The motions of the celestial bodies are extremely regular. Those motions are

determined by basic physical principles, such as the law of gravity. We understand these principles very

well, so we can solve the equations of physics that describe the motions for those objects. Long ago

ancient people began to understand and be able to predict them by watching the repetitions over many

tens and hundreds of years. Now we do better with the equations of physics.

LRoberts: When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore. Tonight is amore!!

Alphonse_Sterling: Hahahaha!

Nigel: are there any types of eclipse that can occur when the moon isnt full.

Alphonse_Sterling: A solar eclipse occurs when the moon is new, but that's the only other kind.

Moderator_Brooke: Hey everyone, we're busy and loving it! Thanks for your patience as we answer

your questions.

physicsstudent15: How often do lunar eclipses occur?

Alphonse_Sterling: On average 1.5 times a year, but this year and next year we will have two each.

Bee: when is the next solar eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: There is a partial one in about two weeks. The next total one is March 20, 2015.

Capt._Kirk: Alphonse Is there a noticable cooling on the lunar surface during the event, if so how much

does the temp drop at max coverage? Thanks in advance.

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, there will be cooling, but the exact amount I can't say right off.

Capt._Kirk: Alphonse Is there a noticable cooling on the lunar surface during the event, if so how much

does the temp drop at max coverage? Thanks in advance.

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, there will be cooling, but the exact amount I can't say right off.

Hellaturnt: From which side of the moon will the eclipse begin?

Alphonse_Sterling: On the screen, from the left side.

Dspradau: How quickly is the shadow of the Earth crossing the surface of the Moon?

Alphonse_Sterling: Based on the time of the start of the partial eclipse and the start of the full eclipse

and knowing the Moon 2,160 miles across, about 2,000 miles per hour.

Moderator_Brooke: Check out the Ustream feed! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc What

you're seeing is the main part of the Earth's shadow covering about half of the moon. Notice this is a



April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

round shadow. Observations such as this by ancient people helped them understand the Earth is round,

not flat.

physicsstudent15: First and foremost you guys are really awesome for taking the time to answer

questions like this and as a student this really means alot so thank you! :) Second , During the lunar

eclipse will the moon appear to have'vanished' for a little bit as part of the different phases?

Alphonse_Sterling: It will become a red color and how dark that red color is depends on the global state

of the Earth's atmopshere, so we don't know how dark it will get. In some rare cases, the Moon has

gotten so dark that it has seemed almost black.

Tarvex: So is this the same effect when you see the moon orange in the morning?

Alphonse_Sterling: Essentially, it is, because in the morning and evening, the light of the moon comes

through a large segment of the Earth's atmosphere and the Earth's atmosphere scatters blue light away

and you are only left with red light. So in the eclipse the same thing is happening because the light from

the Sun is going through a very large segment of the Earth's atmosphere before that light reaches the

Moon. Almost all blue light is scattered away and only red light is left.

MatthewJ: Why do large fires and volcanoes affect the eclipse, yet the view from the space station the

view is the same as on earth?

Alphonse_Sterling: All the light during the total eclipse is light refracted by the Earth's atmosphere, that

is the only thing lighting the Moon at the time. So independent of whether you are on Earth or in space,

that is the only light from the Moon that you see.

J: Must have been somewhat shocking for older generations of humans to see a rare red moon. When

did we discover what was going on, and what might people have believed before then?

Alphonse_Sterling: Some ancient peoples worked out that it was the shadow of the Earth and that in

fact they understood that the Earth was round because they knew the shadow of the Earth was on the

Moon and that shadow was always curved. Ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus understood much

about eclipses.

Moderator_Brooke: Our astronomers are asking that you watch the moon for a few moments -- look

how close we're getting to totality! http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

Legitimaro: Can an eclipse happen without a full moon?

Alphonse_Sterling: No, for a lunar eclipse, you need a full moon. For a solar eclipse, the moon must be

new.

Eacer: So much cloud cover in Memphis, thank you for covering this! Would hate to miss it.. There gaing

to be any more events this year with other planets being close? or possibly solar eclipse?



April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: Sorry Memphis, Huntsville is also clouded out. There will be an annular solar eclipse

on April 29, but we will not see it here in Huntsville.

Brandi: Mr. Alphonse and Ms. Mitzi, I want to thank you for answering all our silly (and interesting!)

questions! How are you spending this lovely April night? Other then with the rest of us 'Lunatics'?

Alphonse_Sterling: You are very welcome. After the eclipse is over, I will get some sleep!

Scorpion: What is the planet or star that can be seen next to the moon in this eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Spica, the brightest star in the constellation Virgo.

Colombianguy So, if I am in the moon I am seeing a Solar eclipse

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, but it's not exactly as it does from the Earth because the Earth appears much

larger than the Sun. For solar eclipses seen from the Earth, the Moon seems almost the same size as the

Sun.

Tarvex: Omg did Mitzi die?

Alphonse_Sterling: No, she was busy doing a phone interview.

Diode: What movement are we observing? The Earth passing between the Sun and Moon, or the

Moon's movement in its orbit around the earth, or both?

Alphonse_Sterling: Both.

Moderator_Brooke: On the live feed, the moon has gone red!

Gimbo: Will we see the color phase in the live video feed or just black and white?

Alphonse_Sterling: They just changed the feed to color.

Tersidre: Isnt this particular set of eclipses something that only occurs once every few hundred years?

Alphonse_Sterling: No, there will be eight in the 21st Century. The last tetrad was in 2003-2004 and the

next one will be 2032-2033.

Rosebud: Are partial lunar eclipses much mor frequent than total eclipses?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, just slightly by a factor of 7 to 6 over a span of 5000 years.

Mattcm: Can looking at the eclipse for too long with the naked eye be damaging to the retina?

Alphonse_Sterling: Only for solar eclipses; not for lunar eclipses.


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Teo_Gr: Hello I want to ask how many times this phenomenom happen?I have heard that happens

every year and some they say that happens every 500 years.What's the truth?

Alphonse_Sterling: On average, a lunar eclipse happens every 1.5 years. Over the next two years, we

will have two each year.

Wale: can the circumference of the moon be calculated just by observing a lunar eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: If you know the size of the Earth and the distance of the Earth to the Moon, then

you can do that calculation.

Ranvier: At what time, approximately, should the red being to appear?

Alphonse_Sterling: You should be able to see it now, until the full eclipse ends at 4:23 Eastern time.

Mellobyte: Can you explain the "phases" of a lunar eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html

george7452: Why is the shadow tilted at a different angle where I am than the stream's angle?

Alphonse_Sterling: It depends on which way the camera is turned on the telescope.

Derchef : Will the eclipse in October be like this one here?

Alphonse_Sterling: Basically yes, but the locations where it will be seen and the shading colors during

the eclipse will be different.

Jade: Hello :) This is probably such a stupid question but, what causes the moon to turn an orange-red

hue?

Alphonse_Sterling: Earth's atmosphere refracts sunlight scattering blue light and leaving only red light,

so the moon only receives the red light and reflects that back to us.

Carlos: Please let me have the time of the best view of the eclipse

Alphonse_Sterling: Now!!!

Rob: How long will this to happen again?

Alphonse_Sterling: Another total lunar eclipse on Oct. 8, 2014.

Czarkasim: ok i have a question, excuse me another question, i just went outside to take a look and

mars looks Amazing, i see Spica down and to the left of the moon BUT i see a blue star or planet right

close to the moon, do you know what planet that is????

http://www.mreclipse.com/Special/LEprimer.html


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: Spica is a blue-to-white star near the moon. Mars is a red object somewhat farther

away. On the other side of the moon from Mars is Saturn. But now that the moon is completely covered,

many other stars that could not be seen before will now be visible.

Legitimaro: Why does the moon get brighter on the right side?

Alphonse_Sterling: Because it's being eclipsed from the left.

Karier: Has the eclipse something to do with the fact i can barely see stars?

Mitzi Adams: No, as a matter of fact, eclipse should make it easier to see stars. The full moon makes it

more difficult because it is so bright -it is a type of light pollution. Any bright lights near you make it

more difficult to see stars.

Trig: my sister in Nicaragua is concerned that the eclipse will cause more earthquakes or volcanos to

erupt. How can that be?

Alphonse_Sterling: No, it can't.

Jade: Alphonse, can two lunar eclipses occur within the same month?

Alphonse_Sterling: No.

Wonka: Hello, I have a question, I went out earlier at 2:30 am and there was a shadow covering half of

the moon, and I just went back out a few minutes ago and now I cant even see the moon!, what

happened?

Alphonse_Sterling: It's called a lunar eclipse.

Capt._Kirk; is Mitzi married?

Mitzi Adams: No, very happily single.

Colombianguy: can I see mars with this eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, a red object not too far away from the Moon.

Ranvier: What is essentially the range of this eclipse? North America in the Northern Hemisphere and

South America in the Southern Hemisphere. Do any other continents get to see it? Where would the

best viewing location be?

Alphonse_Sterling: Any place on Earth that has night at this time can see this eclipse.

At: Will the next three lunar eclipses be different than tonight's eclipse?

Mitzi Adams: Not substantially, the differences will be in duration and color.


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Knipester: so then if it is the shadow from the earth on the moon that is a lunar eclipse what occurs

exactly during a solar eclipse? does the moon cast its shadow on the sun?

Alphonse_Sterling: Close, but no, the Moon casts its shadow on the Earth.

andres123456222: why the eclipse color is red and not yellow or whatever?

Alphonse_Sterling: Because all the non-reddish wavelengths of light are scattered away in the Earth's

atmosphere.

cassie9735: how do we view the lunar eclipse online?

Alphonse_Sterling: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/lunar-eclipse-

2014.html#.U0zV_LweYWm

Fhgfd: This year there was a solar eclipse or not

Mitzi Adams: yes there will be an annular eclipse on April 29, but it will not be visible in U.S. only in

parts of Australia and Antarctica. Another partial solar eclipse Oct. 23 viewable in North America.

the_marsh: An absolutely beatuful view from the clear skies outside here in Salt Lake City, Utah!

Mitzi Adams: Glad to hear some can view eclipse real time.

RichHoagland: why was there a 300 year gap with no bloodmoons ??

Alphonse_Sterling: Eclipses are quite common. There was a 300 year gap between tetrads, a series of

four eclipsers consecutively, between 1600 and 1900. That's just a consequence of the cyclical motions

of planetary bodies.

Czarkasim: thank you Al for the answers about the ancients, So the Earth is getting a lunar eclipse and

the moon is getting a solar eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes.

Questionz: Is it over?

Mitzi Adams: No

Luizzfer: any kind of electromagnetic disruptions expected, remotelly resembling those from solar

storms?

Mitzi Adams: No

Sarahsue: sterling do you like working at NASA is it hard work?

:%20%20http:/www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/lunar-eclipse-2014.html%23.U0zV_LweYWm

:%20%20http:/www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/watchtheskies/lunar-eclipse-2014.html%23.U0zV_LweYWm


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes to both!

Ponchomayto: I wish I had a telescope

Mitzi Adams: You don't need one to view an eclipse like this. Just clear skies!

Milehighmoon: thank you!!

Mitzi Adams: You are welcome!

Cdfdfd: Chicago snowstorm won't allow me to see it in person :(

Mitzi Adams: Understand - it is raining here in Huntsville, AL.

the_marsh: What proporties of the atmosphere cause it to filter blue light?

Alphonse_Sterling: It doesn't filter it; it scatters it. The particles that make up the Earth's atmosphere

have the appropriate cross-sectional size to scatter the blue wavelength of light.

Renegado: En colombia no se ve

Mitzi Adams: En Colombia es posible, si no hay nubes y lluvia

Rallok: it looks like its already ending

Mitzi Adams: We are at mid-eclipse another roughly half hour until totality.

Jade: So during this lunar eclipse, does this happen due to the fact that the sun, moon, & Earth are

perfectly aligned?

Alphonse_Sterling: Basically yes. And so the Moon falls into the shadow of the Earth.

Trinidad186: Queria saber si se podran ver otros planetas

Mitzi Adams: Si Mars, Jupiter and the west , Saturn in the east and Venus in the east just before sunrise.

Fhgfd: Why does the moon turn red?



qb1120: I heard we can see Mars too. There's a bright spot that looks like a star near the moon, is that

it?

Mitzi Adams: The blue white star like object below the moon is Spica, the brightest star of the

constellation Virgo. Mars is the reddish star like object above the moon.


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus: as it is called this star to the right of the moon the brightest

Alphonse_Sterling: If the object is blue-ish, it's the star Spica; if it's reddish, it's the planet Mars.

DCalhoun: Thank you again NASA, from rainy Georgia, for this stream.

Mitzi Adams: From rainy Huntsville, Al., you are welcome! Wish we had clear skies.

Mike_Deaner: WHAT WOULD AN ASTRONAUT SEE STANDING ON A BLOOD MOON?

Mitzi Adams: An astronaut standing on moon would see a solar eclipse - of sorts.

Cryaotic: Excuse me but, why is it red? I saw something next to the moon, looked like a UFO...

Mitzi Adams: That was probably Spica.

MaryEllen: Has the moon ever appeared to be another color? Other than red right now

Alphonse_Sterling: Some peculiar states of the Earth's atmosphere, such as volcanoes or large fires, can

throw particles into the high atmosphere of the Earth and that can cause the moon to have different

colors.

DCalhoun: Will October's eclipse be viewable in North America again?

Mitzi Adams: Yes

Ichow: Do the astronauts on ISS also see it red?

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes, when they are in the proper position in their orbit around the Earth.

Karla: Where is Mars in relation to the moon? I am understanding we are supposed to be able to see it

as well. I thought at first it was that planet you called Spica.

Mitzi Adams: Look above the moon for a red star-like object.

Kip: So this tetrad will be all red?

Alphonse_Sterling: Any time there is a lunar eclipse, the moon turns a reddish color. There is nothing

especial about the Moon during a tetrad. So the Moon will be red during each of the four tetrad

eclipses.

RichHoagland: why 300 years without a bloodmoon would be the most intresting thing i could ever

learn ? thanks


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: There were lunar eclipses, just not tetrads. Lunar eclipses are red independent of

whether they are part of a tetrad. The 300 years of no tetrads was just a consequence of orbital

mechanics.

Mattjackson: Where does the red color come from? Are they the only wavelengths that make it around

the atmosphere?

Alphonse_Sterling: Earth's atmophere refracts sunlight scattering blue light and leaving only red light, so

the moon only receives the red light and reflects that back to us.

Chris: Cannot see in the Middle East, the pic I have looks like a Normal Full moon, am I late or early?

Alphonse_Sterling: No eclipse will be visible in the Middle East.

Zeke: Does this lunar eclips happen this time every year? when is the next one?

Alphonse_Sterling: No, it does not happen at the same time every year. The next will one October 8,

2014.

Laevateinn: Thank goodness for live streaming online. It's very cloudy here in the northeastern USA.

Mitzi Adams: Yes! It is cloudy and raining here in Huntsville, Al., too.

Weslley: love eclipse <3

Mitzi Adams: We do too!

Zdollaz: What spell do I have to cast to get rid of these %%%%% clouds?

Mitzi Adams: Expelliamus?

Noam: IS the Lunar Eclipse still in the sky?

Mitzi Adams: Yes, we think so.

Mike_Deaner: WHAT WOULD AN ASTRONAUT SEE STANDING ON A BLOOD MOON?

Alphonse_Sterling: He would see a dark Earth covering the Sun and the Earth would have a bright red

rim around it. That's the Earth's atmosphere bending the light from the Sun around it.

Winkypop: How long ago was this phenomonen recorded in the science world?

Alphonse_Sterling: At least 3000 years ago by the ancient Chinese. Maybe longer than that because

some of their records were destroyed.

Bolt: what does it look like from the dark side of the moon?


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mitzi Adams: There is no dark side of the moon, because the moon actually does rotate. When the

moon is full the side opposite is dark, but when moon is new that same side faces the sun.

Dee_Dee: What causes the moon to be red?



Asdf: Does the eclipse have any impact on Earth besides the cool colors for viewing?

Alphonse_Sterling: No, none.

Alexlncnkc: In what year we will see a solar eclipse in North America??

Mitzi Adams: August 21, 2017 the path of totality goes through Nashville, Tennessee and other parts of

North America.

Eduardo1842: Hi Mitzi Adams:, is necesary have a good equipment to see the eclipse??

Alphonse_Sterling: It's necessary to have clear skies and no rain.

Gaphn: when are we going to see an eclipse like this again?

Mitzi Adams: Yes, in October on the 8th.

nasa111: Have you always been iterested in astronomy and science and mathematics since you were in

school?

Mitzi Adams: I have been interested in astronomy since the third grade.

I_Luv_Huskys: ive asked a question but it hasn't been answered yet. is there a good way to view the

eclipse with binoculars

Alphonse_Sterling: Yes. Point them at the Moon and look.

Teslanator: When will it be at its peak? or has it already (just woke up)

Mitzi Adams: It has already happened.

Gary_: How does the moon cast a shadow on earth without the sun?

Alphonse_Sterling: In a solar eclipse , the Moon is between the Sun and he Earth, so the light from the

Sun causes the Moon to have a shadow and that shadow falls on the Earth.

Mthunder: Hi, I'm watching the moon in California! It's brownish-red and looks amazing. How long is

the total ecclypse expected to last?


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Mitzi Adams: Totality has ended. Partial phase will end in an hour - around 4:30 CDT.

Asdf: Does the eclipse have any significant impact on Earth besides the cool colors for viewing?

Alphonse_Sterling: No more than any normal full moon.

PakistaniPlatypus: when will the next full lunar eclipse happen?

Alphonse_Sterling: 08-Oct-14

MarcoBrasilAcre: After the next three eclipses, how long it will take to another bloody moon occur?

Mitzi Adams: The next set of four will be 2032.

Zachary1: I thought solar eclipses were not viewable with the naked eye

Alphonse_Sterling: Solar eclipses can cause damage if viewed by the naked eye; lunar eclipses do not.

connet If the Earth had no atmosphere, would the moon be black, or does gravity "weigh" in on light

refraction?

Mitzi Adams: The moon would be black if the Earth had no atmosphere. Gravity would not have an

effect unless the Earth was extremely massive as in star sized or a black hole.

Shey: Does this confirm or deny the cheese theory that states the moon is made out of cheese?

Mitzi Adams: I've not seen any red cheese!

Astrop: How do you determine mathematically future times in which the moon lies in the same plane as

the Earth and Sun?

Alphonse_Sterling: All the motions are extremely regular and they are governed by fundamental physics

equations. Since we know the properties of these celestial bodies well, we can use the equations to

figure out their future locations accurately.

Klkjljkl: can the men that are at the spacial stations can see this?

Mitzi Adams: Yes, when they are also in the Earth's shadow.

Asdf: Does the eclipse change the amount of UV light reflecting back to Earth right now? Or would it be

the same w/o an eclipse?

Alphonse_Sterling: Not measurably.

Alexhkk: ¿Cuantos idiomas hablan hah?

Mitzi Adams: Only one fluently.


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Brandi: why does the duration and color of the eclipses vary? Can you tell in advance how long they will

last?

Alphonse_Sterling: There are many reasons. One example is that some eclipses, the Moon is closer to

the Earth than in other eclipses. And yes, we can tell very accurately in advance how long an eclipse will

be by using the equations of physics.

SagCos: When will be the next time we will see a Lunar Eclipse with the "blood moon"?

Alphonse_Sterling: 08-Oct-14

Faxmid: Una hermosa vista desde la peninsula de yucatan =)

Mitzi Adams: Muy bien!

Amilcar: Nice to see that you speak Spanish. Grats

Mitzi Adams: I don't speak Spanish very well, but I try.

Gerardo: morning, when was the last time that an eclipse like this took place?

Mitzi Adams: The last time was Dec. 21, 2010.

UPEGUI: Hello, I am writing from cali - Colombia, the question is addressed to the NASA astronomer

Mitzi Adams and astrophysicist Alphonse Sterling. the reason to study what they play today? and how

important this event is for you? Thanks ... for taking this space.

Alphonse_Sterling: Lunar eclipses are well understood, so we do not now need them to learn about the

Moon or the Earth. We can learn a little about the Earth's atmosphere, but mainly they are now a

phenomena to enjoy. In the past, lunar eclipses were very important for understanding things such as

the shape of the Earth. On the other hand, solar eclipses are still useful for learning about some

scientific aspects of the Sun's atmosphere.

Chris: the next eclipse in october, will that be red also?

Mitzi Adams: Yes, if there is a volcanic eruption it will be a much deeper red.

Moderator_Brooke: Hi everyone -- wow, what a busy chat this has been! We're coming up on the last

10 minutes of our four-hour chat. If you have any last questions, now is your chance!

Edd: Is there a few more eclipses that will be happening this year? Particularly any in the summer?

Alphonse_Sterling: The next total lunar eclipse will be October 8, 2014

bp_968: mitzi adams your in huntsville AL? Do you know my cousin Jason Cassibry? He's a professor of

aerospace engineering at UAH and has worked with NASA on the pulsed fusion stuff. :)


April 15, 2014 _____________________________________________________________________________________

Alphonse_Sterling: No, sorry.

Mon: HI, we saw about 40 min ago something simmilar to a comet from Mexico, it was quite huge... any

idea what it was? thank you!

Mitzi Adams: Most likely a meteor or fireball- which are pieces of dust or debris that enter Earth’s

atmosphere and burn up in seconds. Comet orbit the Sun and can be seen for many nights.

Moderator_Brooke: And -- that's a chat! We appreciate all of your questions and participation so much.

Your enthusiasm is what makes us love doing these events. Thanks to Mitzi and Alphonse for all of their

time and talent tonight. Check back in a few days for a transcript of the chat. We're also hoping to

rebroadcast the Ustream feed of the eclipse. Have a great Tuesday, you night owls. Get some sleep, and

we'll see you soon.

view chat transcript (pdf)

Documents